i am so furious right now that i can scream. :banghead:
ok, so i'm taking my exam and i'm on question 97 out of 100. thus far this has been my hardest nursing exam and i'm just try to hang in there for the next three questions before breaking down. so on question 97 i'm having difficulites, i can't chose between two of the four answers. so i pick my answer and put it on the scan tron, so now i'm ready to move on. i also put a question mark next to it so that i can track how many questions i think i got wrong. so next thing i know my instructor is standing beside me... i was petrified, i wasn't sure what was going on. she looks at me and then looks at my the question i was stuck on and tells me " remember what i told you in class" so right after that i immediately changed my answer. so come to find out during the test review, the answer that i changed to was actually wrong !:banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead::banghead:
i was so angry. initially, i chose the right answer... it wasn't until my instructor came over to me trying to help made me switch my answer. why couldn't she just leave me alone and let me be. she shouldn't be trying to give me cues anyway. isn't that a form of cheating ???? isn't that wrong ? i didn't even ask for help and when she voluntered info. i got anxious and just knew i chose the wrong answer. i should of stuck to my guts and ignored her.
but seriously, what would you have done... imagine you are between two answers, then you finally chose your answer, and then the instructor comes over and looks at the answer you chose and makes a comment.
i wanted to express my feelings to her, but i pick and choose my battles wisely, and besides of what my thread is titled i know that i was still responsible for the answer i chose. however, i just can' help to feel sick that i was influenced by her. :zzzzz
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
You guys I'm not making this up ! I wish I was, trust me I do. I too would be shocked if someone told me an instructor did this. Heck, it'll be hard to believe. I'm just sharing my story thats all.
I never got the impression you were making it up, was just trying to make sense of it. But I believed you, I have no reason not to believe you. Shoot after seeing some of these Pt. stories I have here that seemed pretty unbelievable I am inclined to give the benefit of the doubt. LOL
Your first instinctual answer is almost ALWAYS the right one.
If you have to choose between the answer your brain picked and the answer you picked go with your brain. It's smarter than we are.
You know - people always say that . . .. but I've found that if I have a feeling I should change it and I don't because of that "rule" . ... I get it wrong.
OP, I don't see how saying "remember what I said in lecture" influenced you to pick a particular answer.
OP, I just showed this thread to my college professor husband and his reaction was the same as the poster above plus the observation that his giving only you an outright or subtle hint would not only be unethical but professional suicide. She was, in his opinion, just trying to give your confidence a boost.
My thought is that you really have to know your material so throughly that you don't have to think about it.
OP, I just showed this thread to my college professor husband and his reaction was the same as the poster above plus the observation that his giving only you an outright or subtle hint would not only be unethical but professional suicide. She was, in his opinion, just trying to give your confidence a boost.
My thought is that you really have to know your material so throughly that you don't have to think about it.
sharpeimom:paw::paw:
ITs not even what she said its how she said it and how she looked when she said it. If you know this instructor you'll know that she has a certain face when you have the wrong answer. In clinical she wouldn't even have to say I was wrong, all she would do is give me that look and I knew that I was wrong. ANd during the exam she gave me that look. I still say she was unprofessional. Even if she was trying to help, its not fair to other students. Before every exam us students have to sign a statement that says we received no help on our exam, and yet this instructor was trying to help me on my exam. I met with her the day before and she gave me a pep talk aobut test taking, I DID NOT need another pep talk while taking my exam. Come on get real ! and for all of you that say " Well I don't see why her dropping a hint will influence you" Thats your opinion, all I can say is that it influenced me. I would love to see how you would of reacted, if you were in my shoes. :zzzzzI know I'm responsible for this.:wink2: I just wish she hadn't even talked to me during this very tough exam. I need complete quite and concertration and any one would get distracted and possibly chose the wrong answer if the instructor is hovering over you during your exam.
I think the OP should take responsibility for her own decisions -- and stop looking for someone else to blame. The instructor did not say anything specific to guide the student toward any one answer and away from another. She simply made a comment of encouragement. The student read WAY too much into the comment, turning a simple encouragement into a major drama. It was the student who chose which answer to give.
... and I have both received such comments as a student and also given them as a teacher. Such general statements are not unheard of.
I think she was glancing, noticed the question mark and was testing your ability to think on your own. You can't blame her for second guessing yourself...you did that when you put the question mark beside the problem.
You will be able to handle this situation when you get farther along and rather than beat yourself up for allowing a distraction to assist you in changing your answer, you will keep your answer and tell yourself, "all I need is an 81". I really tormented myself if I did not stay above 95 in the beginning. By the middle, I found out what we needed to pass and just what the phrase "taking it with a grain of salt" meant.
My teacher did this to us during tests when we were dragging our feet on an answer. When I explained that she bothered my train of thought, she said,
"Go on, you won't have time to sit there in real life and ponder your choices because if you don't know the answer you need to find it rather than guess. "
From that day on, I got it and chose my answer and went on. If I got it wrong I found the answer and became a better nurse.
I think the OP should take responsibility for her own decisions -- and stop looking for someone else to blame. The instructor did not say anything specific to guide the student toward any one answer and away from another. She simply made a comment of encouragement. The student read WAY too much into the comment, turning a simple encouragement into a major drama. It was the student who chose which answer to give.
... and I have both received such comments as a student and also given them as a teacher. Such general statements are not unheard of.
What ever ! you have no idea what you're talking about. And if you would of read my other post you would of noticed that I stated numerous times that I TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILTY for my ACTIONS ! how many times do I have to say it !!!! REad the entire thread before you start making assumptions. The instructor WAS wrong for distracting during the exam. She came to me TWICE on the same question ! I'm just glad that I passed the course and thats all that matters. She did say something specifically ! I'm not an idiot I know exactly what questions she was talking about. It was a question from her lecture and she literally pointed to the question. Hello ???? I did not read too much into anything, you don't even know me so how can you say what I did. And If I wanted to turn something into drama I would of confronted the instructor a long time ago, However I decided to let it go and move on with it. Obviously I chose the answer and once again I accept that. In the future I just hope no more instructors try to help me during the exam. It isn't right anyway ! :banghead:
Why did you post here? Asking for people's experiences? Anytime someone says something from their experience, you get defensive and rude. Saying "I take full responsibility" is not the same as taking full responsibility. You haven't - you're still blaming the instructor.
Why did you post here? Asking for people's experiences? Anytime someone says something from their experience, you get defensive and rude. Saying "I take full responsibility" is not the same as taking full responsibility. You haven't - you're still blaming the instructor.
It's all good and remember when you come into a nursing board and ask if anyone else has ever dealt with this you are opening yourself up to many opinions. So, I see no reason for you to vent on the poster because she stated the truth....it hurts but you have to learn to take things with a grain of salt or your gonna have troubles.
Although you did not harp on me, I have noticed on the last few threads you have posted on that you seem to get bent out of shape when someone comments on your posts. Why is that...didn't you want info? How can we help you and what do you need from us. I hate getting to page 2 and there you are going off on someone. It makes for a sour thread and eventually your going to be ignored. You asked for our opinions yet you are unwilling to take credit for mistakes you make. I know I am gonna provoke a stroke in you but it is hard to learn that sometimes you have to practice some introspection and learn about yourself before you can start blaming others. It is o.k. to make mistakes...it is how you learn from them that really matters.
So, since I expect you to spit back at me, please accept my apologies for upsetting you and there will be no need to throw mean words towards me or anyone else...we are here to help when your willing to accept opinions for their face value.
Good luck, I hope that teacher leaves you alone so the rest of us don't feel her brunt. :)
You've posted a couple of threads about difficulties during testing, such as being distracted by the discussions and actions of other students and by your instructor's comments.
Test taking is very stressful. People deal with this stress in vastly different ways. Some chatter, some review information out loud, some laugh and talk about anything other than the test. It sounds like you do best in a very quiet setting, alone in your own world, so to speak.
Since it is impossible to control the behavior of others, may I suggest you learn to approach tests and the test setting in a way that will enable you to have your own quiet space? Don't show up early for the test. Don't hang out in the hall prior to test time where you will be distracted by others. Don't choose a seat in the middle of the room. If seats are assigned, request that you be placed in one of the 4 corners of the room to minimize your contact with others during test time. Leave your books, cell phone and all other distractions in your car, or set them in the front of the room before you sit down. Take only a watch, pencil and piece of scratch paper to your seat. Sit down and focus on your desk. Don't look up. Don't make eye-contact with anyone else. Once the test begins, do not be disturbed from your "space" unless the instructor makes a general statement to the entire group. Pay no attention to other students or teachers walking about the room, whispering or leaving. Use as much time as you are allowed or need to comfortably finish the test and review it before turning it in.
This will eliminate the possibility of being distracted or influenced by others, no matter how well-meaning their intentions and will reinforce that you are taking responsibility for your own performance.
Thanks !!! Everyone and I have taken all of the post and came up with a solution. First I must always go with my first instinct. Second, I'm responsible for my answers and no one else. Thirdly, I must not focus on distractions instead I will stay calm and focus on passing my exam. Fourth, I will never look up again even if the instructor is trying to talk to me. Fifth, I won't come to testing early, I'll be sure to wait until the last second before finding a seat. Thanks everyone again and I really mean it. Yes sometimes I don't get the answer I would like to hear, but thats apart of growing and learning.
:banghead:
i was petrified, i wasn't sure what was going on. she looks at me and then looks at my the question i was stuck on and tells me " remember what i told you in class" so right after that i immediately changed my answer. so come to find out during the test review, the answer that i changed to was actually wrong !
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~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN
5,259 Posts
I never got the impression you were making it up, was just trying to make sense of it. But I believed you, I have no reason not to believe you. Shoot after seeing some of these Pt. stories I have here that seemed pretty unbelievable I am inclined to give the benefit of the doubt. LOL